New Amlogic SoC Roadmap for 2018

Amlogic released their 2018 roadmap that includes three brand new SoC solutions (S905C, S905X2 and S922) as shown below.

The most interesting ones are S905X2 and S922.

The S905X2 is the successor of the popular S905X and sports a new dual core GPU named “Dvalin”. 

The S922 is based on next-gen ARM CPU and features also a new more powerful GPU capable of decoding two 4K streams. It also supports USB type C.

Both of them support Dolby Vision/HDR10+ and are described as ultra low powered.

TV boxes equipped with the new SoC are not expected before Q2 2018.

Our source of information was the all-time legit, cnx-soft

New Official Information For Next-Gen Players From Dune HD

We received the following information directly from Dune HD regarding their new, Android based, media boxes. Oddly, there is no mention of their flagship player, Dune HD Pro 4K Ultra model. You can read more at their website here

 

Next-generation 4Kp60 HDR media players from Dune HD

We are pleased to announce the start of sales of next-generation Dune HD media players — now with 4Kp60 HDR support, unique hybrid Linux + Android software from Dune HD, and various new features.

 

What’s New?

Comparing to the previous Dune HD models, the new models have the following additional features and enhancements:

1. 4Kp60 HDR and Other Latest Video Standards:

  • 4Kp60, HDR, BT.2020, HDMI 2.0a – all are supported now, which enables the playback of the latest top-quality video content.

2. Unique Combination of Dune HD and Android Ecosystems:

  • The famous Linux-based Dune HD software is now running simultaneously with Android OS, that combines all the benefits of classic Linux-based Dune HD media centers and Android Smart TV boxes in one device.
  • The well-known Dune HD media center, various Dune HD applications and plugins, millions of Android applications — are now available simultaneously.
  • It is very easy to install and launch Android applications directly from Dune HD media center and switch back to Dune HD media center. Android applications can be used simultaneously with background media playback in Dune HD media center (for example, with playback of a music playlist, Internet radio, or a TV channel).

3. Skype, KODI, Chrome, Games, and Many Other New Applications:

  • You can now use various Android applications, such as Skype, KODI, various games, various online video/TV/music services, and many others.
  • Using a modern web browser (Chrome), you can now play video directly on web sites.

4. Super-Smooth GUI and Improved Overall Performance:

  • The new powerful multi-core CPU and GPU and the new specially optimized GUI engine ensure super-smooth GUI (up to 60 FPS), 2x more smooth than before. The CPU is now 4x more powerful than before.

5. Built-in Bluetooth:

  • All new models now have built-in Bluetooth, which enables wireless connection of headsets and speakers, radio remote controls, keyboards, game controllers, and other devices.

6. USB 3.0, DVB-S/S2, and Other New Hardware Features:

  • Some of new models have new hardware features, which were not available in the previous models, such as: USB 3.0 host port, HDMI input, DVB-S/S2 tuner, slot for CI/CI+ Conditional Access Modules to access premium DVB channels, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB flash memory.

7. Various New Software Features:

  • Dune HD software has been upgraded with various additional functions, such as automatic movie recognition in file browser, extended support for TV series in My Collection and Movies catalog, extended EPG information for TV channels, direct links from Movies catalog to online video services available via Android applications to support features such as “Play on Netflix”, and more.

Key Advantages

Comparing to other media player and Smart TV boxes on the market, the new Dune HD models have the following advantages:

1. Convenient Dune HD Software:

  • The famous Hi-End Dune HD software, developed and polished during more than 10 years, specially optimized for the use on TV screens and operation via a standard remote control, tuned for the best possible usability, makes it easy and convenient to use the media player, and hides the complexity of Android OS.

2. Dune HD Ecosystem:

  • Various TV-optimized applications, plugins, extensions, GUI skins, collection management solutions, integrations with home automation systems are available via official Dune Store, 3-party vendors, and from huge user’s community (over 1 million of users).

3. My Collection, Movies Encyclopedia and Other Advanced Functions:

  • My Collection function organizes user’s movies collection into a nice looking catalog. A comprehensive movies encyclopedia provides the information about hundreds of thousands of movies with detailed descriptions, posters, cross-links between movies and persons, trailers, direct links to online video services, etc. Advanced file browser automatically recognizes movies. A lot of other unique advanced functions.

4. The Most Advanced DRM Technologies (Widevine Level 1):

  • Widevine Level 1 DRM (the most advanced level) support makes it possible to watch premium online video services (such as Netflix) with High Definition video. Most other Android Smart TV boxes on the market do not support Widevine Level 1 and can only output Standard Definition video in such services.

5. Dune HD Android Playback Accelerator Technology:

  • This unique technology intellectually manages the resources of Android OS to minimize the influence of Android OS on the media playback engine and ensure smooth and high-quality video and audio plaback.

6. Built-in Convenient App Store for Android Applications:

  • Android applications can be easily installed from any source, including APK files or the built-in App Store which is directly accessible w/o the need to use any user accounts and can be conveniently navigated via a standard remote control.

7. Regular Software Updates With New Functions and Enhancements:

  • Dune HD is known for its reputation to listen to user’s feedback and provide software updates during many years. For example, for some old models, software updates with additional functions are provided for more than 8 years already. This is possible due to unique “single code base” approach, which means that firmware for all Dune HD models is based on the same software (continuously developed and improved according to user’s feedback).

Overview of New Models

The new models are split into 3 product lines:

  • Neo: entry-level models
  • Sky: models combined with satellite receiver
  • Pro: premium models with Hi-End video and audio quality

The following models are available:

Dune HD Neo 4K:

  • 4Kp60 HDR media player + Android Smart TV box
  • S905X, 1GB RAM, 8GB flash, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 100Mbit Ethernet, Bluetooth

Dune HD Neo 4K T2:

  • 4Kp60 HDR media player + Android Smart TV box + DVB-T/T2/C receiver
  • S905D, 1GB RAM, 8GB flash, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 100Mbit Ethernet, Bluetooth

Dune HD Neo 4K T2 Plus:

  • 4Kp60 HDR media player + Android Smart TV box + DVB-T/T2/C receiver
  • S905D, 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 100Mbit Ethernet, Bluetooth

Dune HD Sky 4K Plus:

  • 4Kp60 HDR media player + Android Smart TV box + DVB-T/T2/C receiver + DVB-S/S2 receiver
  • Slot for CI/CI+ Conditional Access Modules to access premium DVB channels
  • S905D, 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 1Gbit Ethernet, Bluetooth, 2.5″ SATA HDD

Dune HD Pro 4K:

  • Premium 4Kp60 HDR media player + Android Smart TV box
  • Hi-End video quality, BD3D support, full support for HD audio
  • RTD1295, 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, 802.11ac Wi-Fi 2T2R, 1Gbit Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB 3.0, SATA HDD port, HDMI input

 

New Dune HD Media Player Lineup Revealed!

Dune HD just revealed their new 2018 media player lineup.

  • 2x Pro models

Dune HD Pro 4K Ultra (premium Realtek 1296 SoC, 4GB RAM, Dual HDD Bays, XLR, ESS DAC, HDMI In) MSRP: 799.9 USD

 

Dune HD Pro 4K (Realtek 1295 SoC, 2GB RAM, HDMI In) MSRP: 199.9 USD

  • 1x Sky Model

Dune HD Sky 4K Plus (Amlogic S905D SoC, DVB-S/S2/T/T2/C tuner with CI+ slot, 2GB RAM) MSRP: 209.9 USD

  • 3x Neo Models

Dune HD Neo 4K T2 Plus (Amlogic S905D SoC, DVB-T/T2/C tuner with CI+ slot, 2GB RAM) MSRP: 149.9 USD

 

Dune HD Neo 4K T2 (Amlogic S905D SoC, DVB-T/T2/C tuner , 1GB RAM) MSRP: 124.9 USD

 

Dune HD Neo 4K (Amlogic S905X SoC,  1GB RAM) MSRP: 99.9 USD

 

You can find more information at Dune’s website here.

You can also be sure that we will test many players from the new lineup! Stay tuned!